Thousands expected at Mule Day/Chickenfest

Children take off at the start of the kids’ tractor race during Gordo’s annual Mule Day and Chickenfest in June 2011. A kids’ tractor race will be held on Saturday at this year’s Mule Day and Chickenfest.

Staff file | Dusty Compton | The Tuscaloosa News

By Ken RobertsCity Editor

Published: Monday, May 27, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 11:35 p.m.

Thousands of spectators are expected Friday and Saturday on Main Street at Gordo’s 26th annual celebration of small-town life.

Organizers say this year’s event has a patriotic theme: “By George, It’s Mule Day and Chickenfest.”

The festival draws people from across West Alabama to the 2,000-person Pickens County town and features live music, mule-drawn wagons, antique tractors and arts and craft vendors.

Organizers of past Mule Day/Chickenfests say the event, sponsored by the Gordo Chamber of Commerce, brings in about $25,000 to the town.

The festival will begin Thursday with a carnival for kids from 5-10 p.m. Here’s the schedule for the festival:

Friday

5:-5:15 p.m.: Opening/national anthem

5:15-5:45 p.m.: Morgan Patrick

6-6:15 p.m.: Welcome by the mayor

6:30 - 7 p.m.: Songs of Faith

7-7:10 p.m.: Ticket drawing and announcements

7:15 - 7:30 p.m.: “Mayberry” tribute artist Christie McClendon

7:30-7:45 p.m.: Ticket drawing and announcements

8-8:50 p.m.: Jesse Reece

8:50 - 9 p.m.: Ticket drawing and announcements

9-10 p.m.: Mid Life Crisis

Awards that will be announced Friday night include Outstanding Achievement, Citizen of the Year, Pioneer Award and a special award named for Cecil Robertson, the founder of Mule Day.

<p>Thousands of spectators are expected Friday and Saturday on Main Street at Gordo's 26th annual celebration of small-town life.</p><p>Organizers say this year's event has a patriotic theme: “By George, It's Mule Day and Chickenfest.”</p><p>The festival draws people from across West Alabama to the 2,000-person Pickens County town and features live music, mule-drawn wagons, antique tractors and arts and craft vendors.</p><p>Organizers of past Mule Day/Chickenfests say the event, sponsored by the Gordo Chamber of Commerce, brings in about $25,000 to the town.</p><p>The festival will begin Thursday with a carnival for kids from 5-10 p.m. Here's the schedule for the festival:</p><p><b>Friday</b></p><p>5:-5:15 p.m.: Opening/national anthem</p><p>5:15-5:45 p.m.: Morgan Patrick</p><p>6-6:15 p.m.: Welcome by the mayor</p><p>6:30 - 7 p.m.: Songs of Faith</p><p>7-7:10 p.m.: Ticket drawing and announcements</p><p>7:15 - 7:30 p.m.: “Mayberry” tribute artist Christie McClendon</p><p>7:30-7:45 p.m.: Ticket drawing and announcements</p><p>8-8:50 p.m.: Jesse Reece</p><p>8:50 - 9 p.m.: Ticket drawing and announcements</p><p>9-10 p.m.: Mid Life Crisis</p><p>Awards that will be announced Friday night include Outstanding Achievement, Citizen of the Year, Pioneer Award and a special award named for Cecil Robertson, the founder of Mule Day. </p><p><b>Saturday</b></p><p>8 a.m: 5K run</p><p>9 -10:30 a.m.: Bama Dancers and Dixie Rhythm, followed by kids tractor race</p><p>10:30-10:45 a.m.: Sandy Fife-Johnson</p><p>10:45-11 a.m.: “Mayberry” tribute artist Christie McClendon</p><p>11-11:30: Koon Brothers</p><p>11:30 a.m.-noon: Songs of Faith</p><p>Noon-12:30 p.m.: Speeds Mill</p><p>12:30- 1:30 p.m.: Cecil Robertson Mule Day Parade</p><p>1:30-2 p.m.: Promise Land</p><p>The chicken, beef and dessert cookoff will be Saturday at First United Methodist Church. Participants can bring their food to the church beginning at 10:15 a.m.</p><p>First, second and third prizes will be awarded.</p>